SIGNS OF SPRING

We have had such a nice few days this week, that I walked around the yard to see what was happening. As you can see the daffodil bulbs are peeking through the pine straw and the paperwhites are blooming. Maybe we can stand winter a little while longer! The acuba at the bottom of the page looks great despite the cold weather we have had this winter. You can take cuttings of this plant and root them in water. They are so great as fillers in flower arrangements, that you really should have several.

A NEW GARDENING SEASON BEGINS.

IT IS ALMOST FEBRUARY AND THAT IS WHEN GARDENING SEASON BEGINS HERE IN THE SOUTH,EVEN IF IT MIGHT BE FRIGID OUTSIDE.FEBRUARY IS THE MONTH TO CUT BACK ALL OF YOUR MONKEY GRASS SO IT WONT LOOK TERRIBLE THIS SUMMER, ALSO IT'S NOT TO LATE TO CUT BACK YOUR ORNAMENTAL GRASSES-JUST DO IT SOON. AROUND WASHINGTONS BIRTHDAY IS WHEN I CUT BACK MY ROSES TO ABOUT TWO FEET TALL.OF COURSE DON'T CUT BACK THE CLIMBERS UNTIL AFTER THEY BLOOM. AND PUT A FRESH LAYER OF COMPOST ON YOUR FLOWER BEDS IF YOU HAVE THE TIME. SOMETIMES WITH OUR WEATHER IT'S HARD TO GET ALL OF THIS DONE,BUT IT IS WORTH THE EFFORT.

THINGS TO DO IN JANUARY

I KNOW IT IS SO COLD NOW, BUT THERE WILL BE A FEW DECENT DAYS THIS MONTH-I HOPE. JANUARY IS THE TIME TO CUT BACK YOUR ORNAMENTAL GRASSES. CUT THEM ALL THE WAY TO THE GROUND-THEY WILL LOOK MUCH BETTER COME SUMMER IF YOU DO.ALSO DON'T FORGET TO MAKE SURE THE BIRDS HAVE FRESH WATER-MAKE SURE THE BIRDBATHS AREN'T FROZEN.

WINTER COLOR

WHILE I MISS THE COLORS OF ALL THE SUMMER FLOWERS, I REALIZE THERE IS STILL COLOR IN WINTER. THESE CREPE MYRTLES OVER THE FENCE IN MY NEIGHBORS YARD ARE SO BEAUTIFUL WITH THERE WINTER LEAVES.
THE TRI-COLOR LEAVES OF MY SAINT JOHN'S WORT ARE A FIESTA OF COLOR. THESE HARDWOOD TREESA IN THE LOT NEXT TO ME ARE GEORGEOUS! AND OF COURSE ALL OF THEGRASSES ARE BEAUTIFUL TO ME. SO INSTEAD OF LONGING FOR SPRING-WHICH I WILL ADMIT I AM-GO OUTSIDE AND LOOK AROUND AND DISCOVER ALL THE WINTER BEAUTY IN THE LANDSCAPE.